Seaver is Pepperdine University's College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences. As part
of a University founded on Christian values, we provide a superior liberal arts education,
along with unique opportunities for personal discovery.

Improve Your Chances

Helpful Hints

Start Early

One of the most valuable resources you have is time. Start early and go through many
revisions. An early draft is easy to spot in a competition.

Choose the right Fellowship

Every fellowship has a specific mission. Realistically evaluate your fit with the
fellowship. Applying to the wrong fellowship can be a waste of your time.

Do your homework

Research the details of the fellowship in which you are interested. Review all the
eligibility requirements, the deadlines, procedures, and selection criteria. To be
disqualified on a technicality is a tragedy. The fellowship’s website is the best
place to get accurate and complete information. Time spent on their website is time
well spent.

Develop a team of readers

In addition to the fellowships office, ask two to three faculty members to give you
feedback on your drafts. A wide variety of readers can give you varying insights that
will improve your essay. Choose someone from your discipline, someone who specializes
in the area of the world you are applying to (if applicable) and then someone completely
outside your discipline. This well-rounded approach will strengthen your writing.

Attend Workshops

The fellowship office offers a variety of workshops particularly for the fellowships
that have a large number of applicants. Take advantage of this resource.

Evaluate your application

Be honest with yourself. What are your weaker areas? Is it your research experience?
Your language skills? Make specific plans to strengthen weaker areas. In particular
make good use of your summers.

Be attentive to detail

Submit a clean application. One small mistake can cost you the fellowship.

Submit Early

For online submission, the websites are often slow on the day of the deadline. Submit
two to three days early and avoid the stress. For snail mail submission, mail early,
and pay for overnighting. This way you can track your application.